Rack mount

ABSTRACT

A system of mated connectors includes a connector having one or more connector quadrants comprising electrical contacts and a mating connector detachably secured to the connector. The mating connector includes one or more mating quadrants and electrical contacts. The mating connector configured to provide electrical coupling to the connector detachably secured thereto. The electrical contacts of a first quadrant of connector quadrants have a first predetermined pin-out and the electrical contacts of a second quadrant of the connector quadrants have a second predetermined pin-out. The electrical contacts of each quadrant of a first pair of the mating quadrants have the first predetermined pin-out and the electrical contacts of each quadrant of a second pair of the mating quadrants have the second predetermined pin-out.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to a rack mount for use inconnection with a patient monitor device and/or a physiological patientparameter measurement device.

BACKGROUND

During the course of providing healthcare to patients, practitionerstypically monitor patient medical parameters of a patient using one ormore monitoring devices such as a patient monitor device and/or aphysiological patient parameter measurement device. These are usable byhealthcare practitioners (e.g., nurses, doctors, physician assistants,or any other person charged with providing a healthcare service to apatient) in monitoring a patient and determining a course of healthcareto be provided to the patient. Such devices can be transportable devicesthat can be moved throughout a patient monitoring environment andmounted to a rack mount for stationary use. Coupling a patient monitordevice and/or a physiological patient parameter measurement device to arack mount can be dictated by stationary orientations of the rack mount.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a system of mated connectors includes a connectorcomprising one or more connector quadrants comprising electricalcontacts and a mating connector detachably secured to the connector. Themating connector includes one or more mating quadrants and electricalcontacts. The mating connector is configured to provide electricalcoupling to the connector detachably secured thereto. The electricalcontacts of a first quadrant of connector quadrants have a firstpredetermined pin-out and the electrical contacts of a second quadrantof the connector quadrants have a second predetermined pin-out. Theelectrical contacts of each quadrant of a first pair of the matingquadrants have the first predetermined pin-out and the electricalcontacts of each quadrant of a second pair of the mating quadrants havethe second predetermined pin-out.

In another aspect, a connector includes one or more connector quadrantsconfigured to provide electrical coupling to a mating connectorcomprising one or more mating quadrants. The connector and the matingconnector each include electrical contacts. The electrical contacts of afirst quadrant of connector quadrants have a first predetermined pin-outand the electrical contacts of a second quadrant of the connectorquadrants have a second predetermined pin-out. The electrical contactsof each quadrant of a first pair of the mating quadrants have the firstpredetermined pin-out and the electrical contacts of each quadrant of asecond pair of the mating quadrants have the second predeterminedpin-out.

In another aspect, a mating connector includes one or more matingquadrants configured to provide electrical coupling to a connectorcomprising one or more connector quadrants. The connector and the matingconnector each include electrical contacts. The electrical contacts of afirst quadrant of connector quadrants have a first predetermined pin-outand the electrical contacts of a second quadrant of the connectorquadrants have a second predetermined pin-out. The electrical contactsof each quadrant of a first pair of the mating quadrants have the firstpredetermined pin-out and the electrical contacts of each quadrant of asecond pair of the mating quadrants have the second predeterminedpin-out.

In some variations, the first quadrant of the connector quadrants andthe second quadrant of the connector quadrants are nonadjacent.

In other variations, the remaining two connector quadrants have noelectrical contacts.

In yet another aspect, a connector includes one or more connectorquadrants configured to provide electrical coupling to a matingconnector comprising one or more mating quadrants. One of the one ormore connector quadrants includes electrical contacts having apredetermined pin-out. In some variations, the electrical contacts of atleast one quadrant of the one or more mating quadrants has thepredetermined pin-out. In other variations, the remaining threeconnector quadrants have no electrical contacts.

In another aspect, a mating connector includes one or more matingquadrants configured to provide electrical coupling to a connectorcomprising one or more connector quadrants. One of the one or moreconnector quadrants includes electrical contacts having a predeterminedpin-out. In some variations, the electrical contacts of at least onequadrant of the one or more mating quadrants has the predeterminedpin-out. In other variations, the remaining three connector quadrantshave no electrical contacts.

In some variations, the connector and the mating connector can be akeyed connector and at least one of the one or more connector quadrantsand at least one of the one or more mating quadrants are keyedquadrants.

In other variations, the connector can be a male connector having one ormore electrical connection pins and the mating connector can be a femaleconnector having one or more electrical sockets configured to accept theone or more electrical pins of the connector.

In some variations, the mating connector can be a male connector havingone or more electrical connection pins and the connector can be a femaleconnector having one or more electrical sockets configured to accept theone or more electrical pins of the mating connector.

In yet another variation, a rack mount provides for electricalconnections between a patient monitor and one or more physiologicalsensors affixed to a patient. The rack mount includes a monitor mount, aphysiological patient parameter measurement device, and a mountconnector affixed to the monitor mount. The mount is configured toreceive and detachably secure to the patient monitor. The physiologicalpatient parameter measurement device mount is configured to (i) rotateand orient in a first orientation or a second orientation and to (ii)receive and detachably secure a physiological patient parametermeasurement device. The mount connector includes one or more quadrantsconfigured to provide electrical coupling between the patient monitorand the physiological patient parameter measurement device detachablysecured to the mount connector. The first orientation can be a verticalorientation and the second orientation can be a horizontal orientation.

In some variations, the monitor mount can include an articulating legenclosed within at least a portion of the monitor mount at a first endof the monitor mount. The articulating leg can be configured to retractand extend between at least two positions. The monitor mount can beaffixed to a second end of the articulating leg. The articulating legcan be configured to extend or retract in a vertical direction relativeto the monitor mount.

In some variations, the at least two positions can include an extendedposition with the articulating leg fully extended in a verticaldirection and the mount connector is at a distance farthest from themonitor mount. The at least two positions can include a stowed positionwith the articulating leg fully retracted within the monitor mount andthe mount connector is at a distance closest to the monitor mount. Thearticulating leg can be biased to the stowed position.

In other variations, mount connector is a keyed connector and at leastone of the one or more quadrants can be a keyed quadrant.

In some variations, the physiological patient parameter measurementdevice can include a device connector configured to receive the one ormore quadrants of the mount connector.

In other variations, the rack mount can include the patient monitordetachably secured to the monitor mount and the physiological patientparameter measurement device coupled between the one or morephysiological sensors and the physiological patient parametermeasurement device.

In some variations, the mount connector can be configured to facilitatepower and/or data transmission between the patient monitor detachablysecured to the monitor mount and the physiological patient parametermeasurement device detachably secured to the physiological patientparameter measurement device mount. In some variations, the mountconnector can be a male connector having one or more electricalconnection pins and the device connector can be a female connectorhaving one or more electrical receptacles configured to accept the oneor more electrical pins of the mount connector. In other variations, thedevice connector can be a male connector having one or more electricalconnection pins and the mount connector can be a female connector havingone or more electrical receptacles configured to accept the one or moreelectrical pins of the device connector.

In other variations, the mount connector can include one quadrant, two,electrically redundant quadrants, or two, electrically differentquadrants.

In other variations, the physiological patient parameter measurementdevice mount is a pod rack and the physiological patient parametermeasurement device is a pod module.

The subject matter described herein provides many technical advantages.For example, the current subject matter provides for flexible utilityand/or usability of one or more patient monitoring devices. Use of thesubject matter herein can provide for a single rack mount for mountingof a patient monitor and physiological patient parameter measurementdevice. A mount connector of the rack mount can facilitate detachablecoupling of the physiological patient parameter measurement device in avertical or a horizontal direction. When coupled to the mount connector,the physiological patient parameter measurement device can beelectrically coupled to a patient monitor that is also coupled to therack mount for the transmission of data and/or power. Additionally, atleast two quadrants of a mount connector as described herein can providefor redundant coupling configurations that facilitate coupling of adevice connector to a mating mount connector in a vertical orientationof approximately 0 degrees and a horizontal orientation of approximately90 degrees.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter describedherein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the subject matter describedherein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from theclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a back perspective view of an example rack mount;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the detachable coupling of amount connector of an example rack mount and a device connector;

FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of another example of a verticallyoriented physiological patient parameter measurement device mount andmount connector;

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of yet another example of a verticallyoriented physiological patient parameter measurement device mount andmount connector;

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of an example rack mount witharticulating leg is a stowed position;

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of an example rack mount with anarticulating leg in an intermediary position between the stowed positionof FIG. 4 and fully extended position of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of an example rack mount witharticulating leg in a fully extended position.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A single rack mount device can include a monitor mount and a mountconnector for mounting of a patient monitor device and/or aphysiological patient parameter measurement device. A mount connectorcan facilitate electrical coupling of a physiological patient parameterdevice when oriented in either a vertical or a horizontal direction to amonitor coupled to a monitor mount. When coupled to the mount connector,the physiological patient parameter measurement device can beelectrically coupled to a patient monitor that is also coupled to therack mount for the transmission of data and/or power.

FIG. 1 illustrates a back perspective view of an example rack mount 100.Rack mount 100 can include a monitor mount 110. Monitor mount 110 can beconfigured to receive and detachably secure to a patient monitor (notshown).

Rack mount 100 can also include an articulating leg 120 partiallyenclosed, at a first end, within a rear portion 110 a of the monitormount 110. A mount connector 230 of FIG. 2 can be affixed toarticulating leg 120 in a stationary position at a second end ofarticulating leg 120 (e.g., the second end being opposite of the firstend which is partially enclosed by monitor mount 110). Electricalcabling can run internal to articulating leg 120 to interconnect themount connector 230 to one or more patient monitors detachably coupledto monitor mount 110. Articulating leg 120 can retract and extendbetween at least two positions, such as a stowed position and a fullyextended position, which will be explained in detail to follow in FIGS.4-6. Articulating leg 120 can retract and extend in a vertical directionrelative to monitor mount 110. For illustration purposes, a distance, d,that articulating leg 120 can travel can be measured by the differencebetween a center point 140 of a mount connector 230 of FIG. 2 in thestowed position and a current position of the center point 140 whenarticulating leg 120 is any position other than stowed.

Rack mount 100 can also include a physiological patient parametermeasurement device mount 130. Physiological patient parametermeasurement device mount 130 can be configured to receive and detachablysecure a physiological patient parameter measurement device 210 of FIG.2. Physiological patient parameter measurement device mount 130 can beaffixed to the second end of articulating leg 120. Physiological patientparameter measurement device mount 130 can be configured to rotate andorient in a first orientation such as a vertical orientation relative toarticulating leg 120 as illustrated by vertically oriented physiologicalpatient parameter measurement device mount 130 a. Physiological patientparameter measurement device mount 130 can also be oriented in a secondorientation such as a horizontal orientation relative to articulatingleg 120 as illustrated by horizontally oriented physiological patientparameter measurement device mount 130 b. Mount connector 230 of FIG. 2remains stationary during rotation of physiological patient parametermeasurement device mount 130.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view 200 of a detachable couplingbetween a mount connector 230 and a device connector 220. Mountconnector 230 can be configured to facilitate power and/or datatransmission between the patient monitor (not shown) detachably securedto the monitor mount 110 and the physiological patient parametermeasurement device 210 detachably secured to the physiological patientparameter measurement device mount 130.

A physiological patient parameter measurement device 210 can include adevice connector 220. As illustrated in FIG. 2, device connector 220 canbe partitioned into quadrants 222, 224, 226, 228. Each quadrant 222,224, 226, 228 can have a plurality of electrical contacts which areinternally wired within physiological patient parameter measurementdevice 210 to transmit either power and/or data in accordance with apredetermined pin-out of physiological patient parameter measurementdevice 210. Electrical contacts can include a pin, receptacle, socket,pad, or any other electrical means used in a connector for electricallyconnecting one connector to a mating connector. More specifically, eachquadrant 222, 224, 226, 228 has a plurality of electrical receptacleswhich are a type of electrical contact. The predetermined pin-out candefine a number of electrical contacts within each quadrant of aconnector, physical location of each electrical contact within eachquadrant, as well as a function of each electrical pin. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 2, device connector 220 is a female connector havingfour electrical sockets in each quadrant. Each electrical socket can beconfigured to accept a male (mating) connector such as mount connector230. Quadrants 222, 224 can each have redundant pin-outs such as apin-out A. Quadrants 226, 228 can each have redundant pin-outs such as apin-out B. Pin-out A can be electrically different than pin-out B. Mountconnector 230 can also be partitioned into quadrants, similar to that ofdevice connector 220. However, only a portion of the partitions caninclude one or more male electrical contacts to facilitate electricalconnections between mount connector 230 and device connector 220. Morespecifically, device connector 220 includes a plurality of electricalpins as electrical contacts. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, mountconnector 230 is a male connector having quadrants 232, 234, 236, 238.Quadrant 234 can be electrically configured to have pin-out A andquadrant 238 can be electrically configured to have pin-out B. Quadrants234, 238 are nonadjacent to each other. Quadrants 232 and 236 can haveno electrical pins. Quadrants 232, 236 are nonadjacent to each other.

In one variation, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 2, physiologicalpatient parameter measurement device 210 can be oriented in a verticaldirection or a horizontal direction. Device connector 220 and mountconnector 230 can be keyed connectors which include one or more keyedquadrants, such as quadrants 222, 224, 234. With keyed quadrants,specific orientations of physiological patient parameter measurementdevice 210 can be required in order to align pin-out A of deviceconnector 220 with pin-out A of mount connector 230 and pin-out B ofdevice connector 220 with pin-out B of mount connector 230.Physiological patient parameter measurement device 210 can be orientedhorizontally to position within vertically oriented physiologicalpatient parameter measurement device mount 130 a, as illustrated in FIG.2. In such orientation, quadrant 234 can be detachably secured andelectrically coupled to quadrant 224, as facilitated by quadrant 234being a keyed quadrant. and quadrant 238 can be detachably secured andelectrically coupled to quadrant 228. Quadrants 222, 226 can be securedto quadrants 232, 236, respectively. However since quadrants 232, 236have no electrical pins, there is no electrical coupling.

As physiological patient parameter measurement device 210 contains asecond keyed quadrant 222, physiological patient parameter measurementdevice 210 can be rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise (e.g., a verticalorientation of physiological patient parameter measurement device 210)to align quadrant 222 to detachably couple to quadrant 234. Aspreviously discussed, mount connector 230 can remain stationary, affixedto articulating leg 120 so as not to modify the orientation of mountconnector 230 and its quadrants 232, 234, 236, 238. As a result, whenphysiological patient parameter measurement device 210 is rotated to bein a vertical orientation to facilitate coupling of quadrant 222 withquadrant 234, a horizontally oriented physiological patient parametermeasurement device mount 130 b is required. Quadrants 222, 224 can haveredundant internal wiring so as to provide the same electrical couplingwhen either quadrant 222 or 224 is coupled to quadrant 234. The keyingof quadrant 234 restricts quadrants 226, 228 from being inadvertentlycoupled to quadrant 234 due to its geometric misalignment.

A patient monitor that can be detachably coupled to monitor mount 110and/or physiological patient parameter measurement device 210 can beused to monitor various physiological parameters for a patient.Physiological patient parameter measurement device 210 can be coupledbetween one or more physiological sensors and a patient. Physiologicalpatient parameter measurement device 210 can include one or more baysfor receiving and/or securing patient parameter measurement detachablepods. Such physiological parameters can be transmitted between patientand the patient monitor and/or physiological patient parametermeasurement device 210, for example, via a plurality of cables. Withsuch a variation, the patient monitor and/or physiological patientparameter measurement device 210 can include a sensor interface that canconnect via wired and/or wireless interfaces to one or morephysiological sensors and/or medical devices (e.g., electrocardiogram(ECG) electrodes, SPO₂ sensor, blood pressure cuffs, apnea detectionsensors, respirators, etc.) associated with the patient. The patientmonitor and/or physiological patient parameter measurement device 210can include one or more processors (e.g., programmable data processors,etc.) which can execute various instructions stored in memory of thepatient monitor and/or physiological patient parameter measurementdevice 210. The patient monitor and/or physiological patient parametermeasurement device 210 can additionally include a communicationsinterface which allows the patient monitor and/or physiological patientparameter measurement device 210 directly or indirectly to access one ormore computing networks. The communications interface can includevarious network cards/interfaces to enable wired and wirelesscommunications with such computing networks. The communicationsinterface can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.)communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.).

The patient monitor and/or physiological patient parameter measurementdevice 210 can include an electronic visual display. Various data andgraphical user interfaces can be conveyed to a user via the electronicvisual display. This information can, for example, relate to themeasured physiological parameters of a patient transmitted across one ormore of a plurality of cables and the like (e.g., blood pressure, heartrelated information, pulse oximetry, respiration information, etc.).Other types of information can also be conveyed by the electronic visualdisplay. In some variations, the electronic visual display includes atouch screen interface.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front view 310 of an example vertically orientedphysiological patient parameter measurement device mount 130 a and mountconnector 230. In the variation illustrated in FIG. 3A, mount connector230 can include quadrants 332, 334, 336, 338. Quadrants 334, 338 caneach be electrically configured to have a pin-out C which provideselectrical redundancy between quadrants 334 and 338. A mating connector(not shown) can include four quadrants each electrically configured tohave pin-out C. Since there is no keying of quadrants 334, 338, a matingconnector can be detachably secured to mount connector 230 in anyorientation (e.g., 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees).Quadrants 332, 336 having no electrical connection pins, provide noelectrical connection to quadrants of mating connector detachablysecured thereto.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view 320 of yet another example verticallyoriented physiological patient parameter measurement device mount 130 aand mount connector 230. In the variation illustrated in FIG. 3B, mountconnector 230 can include quadrants 342, 344, 346, 348. Quadrant 342 canbe electrically configured to have a pin-out D. A mating connector (notshown) can include four quadrants each electrically configured to havepin-out D. Since there is no keying of quadrant 342, a mating connectorcan be detachably secured to mount connector 230 in any orientation(e.g., 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees). Quadrants 342,346, 348 having no electrical connection pins, provide no electricalconnection to quadrants of mating connector detachably secured thereto.

It is recognized that while mount connector 230 is illustrated in FIGS.2 and 3A-3B as a male connector and device connector 220 is illustratedas a female connector, such connectors can be opposite such that mountconnector 230 is a female connector configured to receive electricalcontacts of device connector 220 which can be a male connector. In othervariations, the role of the connectors can be reversed. In other words,mount connector 230 has electrical contacts (e.g., male connection pins)in one or more quadrants and device connector 220 can have electricalreceptacles (e.g., a female connector). In yet other variations, mountconnector 230 has electrical contacts in all four quadrants while deviceconnector 220 has electrical contacts in only one or two quadrants. Aspreviously described, even though electrical pins and sockets areillustrated in the connectors of FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B, the electricalcontacts can include any combination of pins, receptacles, sockets,pads, or any other electrical means used in a connector for electricallyconnecting one connector to a mating connector.

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of rack mount 100 with articulatingleg 120 is a stowed position 400. In the stowed position 400, thearticulating leg 120 can be fully retracted within the monitor mount 110and the mount connector 230 is at a distance closest to the monitormount 110. In some variations, articulating leg 120 can be biased in thestowed position 400. In stowed position 400, the mount connector 230 isblocked and no physiological patient parameter measurement device 210can be mounted to rack mount 100.

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of rack mount 100 with articulatingleg 120 in an intermediary position 500 between the stowed position 400and fully extended position 600 of FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 5, inintermediary position 500 vertically oriented physiological patientparameter measurement device mount 130 a, such as a pod rack, can bedetachably coupled to physiological patient parameter measurement device210, such as a pod module, so as to orient physiological patientparameter measurement device 210 horizontally. In intermediary position500, articulating leg 120 has a length, d1, measured from center point140 to stopping point 540.

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of rack mount 100 with articulatingleg 120 in a fully extended position 600. In fully extended position600, the center point 640 of mount connector can be distance, d,farthest from the monitor mount 110. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in fullyextended position 600 horizontally oriented physiological patientparameter measurement device mount 130 b can be detachably coupled tophysiological patient parameter measurement device 210 so as to orientphysiological patient parameter measurement device 210 vertically.

While the subject matter described herein relates to connectors that arepartitioned into quadrants, it is recognized that the connectorsdescribed herein can be partitioned into one or more sections such ashalves, thirds, quadrants, or any other delineation.

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at leastone of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list ofelements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of twoor more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitlycontradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase isintended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually orany of the recited elements or features in combination with any of theother recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at leastone of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are eachintended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similarinterpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items.For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more ofA, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, Balone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, orA and B and C together.” In addition, use of the term “based on,” aboveand in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” suchthat an un-recited feature or element is also permissible.

The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems,apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desiredconfiguration. The implementations set forth in the foregoingdescription do not represent all implementations consistent with thesubject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examplesconsistent with aspects related to the described subject matter.Although a few variations have been described in detail above, othermodifications or additions are possible. In particular, further featuresand/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein.For example, the implementations described above can be directed tovarious combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed featuresand/or combinations and sub-combinations of several further featuresdisclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in theaccompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily requirethe particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. Other implementations may be within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system of mated connectors, the systemcomprising: a connector comprising one or more connector quadrantscomprising electrical contacts; and a mating connector detachablysecured to the connector, the mating connector comprising one or moremating quadrants and electrical contacts, the mating connectorconfigured to provide electrical coupling to the connector detachablysecured thereto; wherein the electrical contacts of a first quadrant ofconnector quadrants have a first predetermined pin-out and theelectrical contacts of a second quadrant of the connector quadrants havea second predetermined pin-out, and wherein the electrical contacts ofeach quadrant of a first pair of the mating quadrants have the firstpredetermined pin-out and the electrical contacts of each quadrant of asecond pair of the mating quadrants have the second predeterminedpin-out.
 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector and themating connector are keyed connectors and at least one of the one ormore connector quadrants and at least one of the one or more matingquadrants are keyed quadrants.
 3. The connector of claim 1, wherein theconnector is a male connector having one or more electrical connectionpins and the mating connector is a female connector having one or moreelectrical sockets configured to accept the one or more electrical pinsof the connector.
 4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the matingconnector is a male connector having one or more electrical connectionpins and the connector is a female connector having one or moreelectrical sockets configured to accept the one or more electrical pinsof the mating connector.
 5. A connector comprising one or more connectorquadrants configured to provide electrical coupling to a matingconnector comprising one or more mating quadrants, the connector and themating connector each comprising electrical contacts, wherein theelectrical contacts of a first quadrant of connector quadrants have afirst predetermined pin-out and the electrical contacts of a secondquadrant of the connector quadrants have a second predetermined pin-out,and wherein the electrical contacts of each quadrant of a first pair ofthe mating quadrants have the first predetermined pin-out and theelectrical contacts of each quadrant of a second pair of the matingquadrants have the second predetermined pin-out.
 6. The connector ofclaim 5, wherein the first quadrant of the connector quadrants and thesecond quadrant of the connector quadrants are nonadjacent.
 7. Theconnector of claim 6, where the remaining two connector quadrants haveno electrical contacts.
 8. A connector comprising one or more connectorquadrants configured to provide electrical coupling to a matingconnector comprising one or more mating quadrants, one of the one ormore connector quadrants comprising electrical contacts having apredetermined pin-out, wherein the electrical contacts of at least onequadrant of the one or more mating quadrants has the predeterminedpin-out.
 9. The connector of claim 8, where the remaining threeconnector quadrants have no electrical contacts.
 10. The connector ofclaim 8, wherein the electrical contacts include at least one of pins,receptacles, sockets, or pads.
 11. A mating connector comprising one ormore mating quadrants configured to provide electrical coupling to aconnector comprising one or more connector quadrants, the connector andthe mating connector each comprising electrical contacts, wherein theelectrical contacts of a first quadrant of connector quadrants have afirst predetermined pin-out and the electrical contacts of a secondquadrant of the connector quadrants have a second predetermined pin-out,and wherein the electrical contacts of each quadrant of a first pair ofthe mating quadrants have the first predetermined pin-out and theelectrical contacts of each quadrant of a second pair of the matingquadrants have the second predetermined pin-out.
 12. The matingconnector of claim 11, wherein the first quadrant of the connectorquadrants and the second quadrant of the connector quadrants arenonadjacent.
 13. The mating connector of claim 12, where the remainingtwo connector quadrants have no electrical contacts.
 14. A matingconnector comprising one or more mating quadrants configured to provideelectrical coupling to a connector comprising one or more connectorquadrants, one of the one or more mating quadrants comprising electricalcontacts having a predetermined pin-out, wherein the electrical contactsof at least one quadrant of the one or more mating quadrants has thepredetermined pin-out.
 15. The mating connector of claim 14, where theremaining three connector quadrants have no electrical contacts.
 16. Arack mount for providing electrical connections between a patientmonitor and one or more physiological sensors affixed to a patient, therack mount comprising: a monitor mount configured to receive anddetachably secure to the patient monitor; a physiological patientparameter measurement device mount configured to (i) rotate and orientin a first orientation or a second orientation and to (ii) receive anddetachably secure a physiological patient parameter measurement device;and a mount connector affixed to the monitor mount, the mount connectorcomprising one or more quadrants configured to provide electricalcoupling between the patient monitor and the physiological patientparameter measurement device detachably secured to the mount connector.17. The rack mount of claim 16, wherein the mount connector is a keyedconnector and at least one of the one or more quadrants is a keyedquadrant.
 18. The rack mount of claim 16, wherein the physiologicalpatient parameter measurement device includes a device connectorconfigured to receive the one or more quadrants of the mount connector.19. The rack mount of claim 16, further comprising: the patient monitordetachably secured to the monitor mount; and the physiological patientparameter measurement device coupled between the one or morephysiological sensors and the physiological patient parametermeasurement device.
 20. The rack mount of claim 16, wherein the mountconnector is configured to facilitate power and/or data transmissionbetween the patient monitor detachably secured to the monitor mount andthe physiological patient parameter measurement device detachablysecured to the physiological patient parameter measurement device mount.21. The rack mount of claim 16, wherein the physiological patientparameter measurement device mount is a pod rack and the physiologicalpatient parameter measurement device is a pod module.
 22. The rack mountof claim 16, wherein the mount connector is a male connector having oneor more electrical connection pins and the device connector is a femaleconnector having one or more electrical receptacles configured to acceptthe one or more electrical pins of the mount connector.
 23. The rackmount of claim 16, wherein the device connector is a male connectorhaving one or more electrical connection pins and the mount connector isa female connector having one or more electrical receptacles configuredto accept the one or more electrical pins of the device connector. 24.The rack mount of claim 16, wherein the mount connector includes onequadrant.
 25. The rack mount of claim 16, wherein the mount connectorincludes two, electrically redundant quadrants.
 26. The rack mount ofclaim 16, wherein the mount connector includes two, electricallydifferent quadrants.
 27. The rack mount of claim 16, wherein the firstorientation is a vertical orientation and the second orientation is ahorizontal orientation.
 28. The rack mount of claim 16, wherein themonitor mount includes an articulating leg enclosed within at least aportion of the monitor mount at a first end of the monitor mount andconfigured to retract and extend between at least two positions, themonitor mount affixed to a second end of the articulating leg.
 29. Therack mount of claim 28, wherein the articulating leg is configured toextend or retract in a vertical direction relative to the monitor mount.30. The rack mount of claim 28, wherein the at least two positionsincludes an extended position with the articulating leg fully extendedin a vertical direction and the mount connector is at a distancefarthest from the monitor mount.
 31. The rack mount of claim 28, whereinthe at least two positions includes a stowed position with thearticulating leg fully retracted within the monitor mount and the mountconnector is at a distance closest to the monitor mount.
 32. The rackmount of claim 31, wherein the articulating leg is biased to the stowedposition.